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“I can imagine it’s about as much as I’ve missed you,” I say, stealing one of his fries.

He finishes off his burger with a big bite and ketchup sits on each corner of his mouth. “Well, I missed you more.”

The clouds are starting to roll in with the sun setting behind them, casting a soft amber glow through the windows.

“I’ve missed these burgers too.” Sean stares at his empty plate.

“It looks like you missed the burger a little more than me,” I quip. My stomach is really starting to hurt now, filled with grease and laughter.

“That’s not humanly possible, Bee. I never stop thinking about you.” He glances at me playfully. “The burgers were only on my mind every other thought. Stilinski is getting so tired of me talking about you. He’s ready to get rid of me.”

Stilinski is his bunkmate. I’d seen him occasionally on FaceTime in the background, but I don’t know a whole lot about him. Including his first name. I just know him as Stilinski. Most of the stories consist of them sneaking off base for food and drinks. Stilinski always sneaks booze into their room, even though it’s against the rules.

Sean is wiping his hands with a napkin, grabbing my container and placing it back into the to-go bag. He tosses it into my backseat, getting it out of the way.

There is warmth in his eyes that somehow expresses pain at the same time. It’s a trait you normally only see in girls, but Sean is one of those rare guys who shares his every emotion, and in my opinion, it makes him even more of a man. I feel my heart suddenly pounding against my ribcage, aching.

“I have to get going soon. I promised my parents I’d be back for the night. My grandparents are coming over. I probably won’t have time to see you again before I leave. Since it’s Christmas and all,” he says, his voice steady.

I grimace and he nods, as if he can read my thoughts.

“I wish I didn’t have to leave,” he says.

I look down at my hands, trying to contain my tears.

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and erase it all. All the moments we had together. I constantly question how things got so out of place. I don’t know how to fathom it all. I feel lonely because I can’t let him in. But if I do, I could lose myself in him. Being young sucks.

Sean runs his hand across my face, brushing a stray hair behind my ear. He reaches into his pocket.

I look down, trying to see what he grabbed, but his hand is in a tight fist.

He unfolds his fingers, holding a chain with a white Lego piece at the end of it.

“I got you this,” he says.

The Lego is flat and rectangular with a round curve at the top where the chain comes through.

“It’s a Lego,” he states.

“Yeah, I can see that.” I can’t contain my laughter. I don’t get it. Why in the world would I want a tacky necklace?

He then pulls out another matching necklace, but it’s purple.

It reminds me of grade school, when all my friends would get best friend necklaces from Claire’s in the mall.

He grabs the two lego pieces and places them on top of one another. As they connect, it creates a heart.

Oh.

“It’s so you can remember that you always have a piece of my heart.” He leans in close, but I scoot back, stopping him.

“Sean,” I pause. “I’m sorry, we can’t kiss.” I recoil slightly, regretting the words already. He gets me this sweet sentimental gift, and I’m rejecting him.

He moves back in his seat, gazing at me, half in anticipation and half in dread.

“We’re back to this?” he questions.

Somehow he makes the words sound sweet, even though he’s hurt.